Hundreds in Waltham lose power in Sunday storm

More than 500 Waltham residents lost power as a result of an Oct. 29 storm that brought downpours coupled with high wind gusts, according to Eversource spokesman Michael Durand.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported overnight peak wind gusts between 65 and 78 mph in the southeastern portion of the state and 75 mph at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. Overnight, numerous downed trees, wires and poles were reported across the state, and there were numerous reports of flash flooding of streets and urban areas.

As of mid-morning Monday, Oct. 30, repair crews were on the scene in Waltham, repairing wires brought down by trees. Downed limbs were hampering access to power lines and continued gusts were, in some cases, delaying workers “attempts to go up in cherry pickers to make repairs,” Durand said.

“As driven as we are, and as much as we want to restore power to our customers as fast as possible, the safety of our workers and customers is number one,” Durand said.

Waltham Fire Department spokesman Scott Perry said Oct. 30 that crews were continuing to respond to reports of downed wires around town, as wind gusts continued.